Cardiff, the capital city of Wales, boasts a wealth of fantastic skateboarding spots. It is also home to one of the world's most esteemed skateboard clubs, Cardiff Skateboard Club. (CSC).
CSC has worked hard to increase the visibility of Cardiff's skate scene, and today the city serves as a prime example of the prestigious level that skateboarding and skateboarders can reach.
However, if you skate on Cardiff's streets, be cautious. The police might confiscate your board and demonstrate their skills to you(while also commenting on your setup).
To stay ahead, here are our recommended places to skate in Cardiff.
1. RampWorld, Cardiff
Situated in an industrial warehouse on the northern outskirts of Cardiff, RampWorld is a fantastic skate venue, featuring both transitions and street obstacles. RampWorld Cardiff is a charitable non-profit organization, aiming to provide advanced indoor extreme sports facilities in South Wales.
The skatepark includes both a spine and a volcano within a large bowl. While it has a uniform depth, it also features an extension, two vert walls, and a hip in one corner.
Additionally, there is a rhythm section with quarter pipes, jump boxes, and spines of varying sizes. A speed corner can be found at the rear.
The street section is perfect for novices. It is fairly straightforward, but offers excellent lines for those learning the basics, with obstacles ranging from hubbas to quarter pipes, and even a down kicker.
If you're looking to hone your ramp skills, RampWorld is the ideal location – it has a dedicated mini-ramp area! This consists of two wide mini ramps set apart, providing the ideal space to build up speed or practice tricks with extra room.
Offering beginner sessions, weekly passes, and all-day passes, it caters to everyone.
• Opening times: These change throughout the year, according to the school term calendar. Check the Full list .
• Charge: This varies depending on the time and session. The space is also available for private hire at a cost of £100 for a two-hour session and £150 for a three-hour session.
• Address: Unit B, Parc Ty Glas, Llanishen, CG14 5DU.
• Website: www.rampworldcardiff.co.uk
2. Cardiff Barrage Plaza, Cardiff
Constructed by Gravity in 2010, Cardiff Barrage Plaza features excellent transitions. It offers the perfect combination of concrete, brick, and granite and is located just outside the city on the far side of the bay.
The design and engineering are state-of-the-art, featuring a street flow plaza with brick backless quarter pipes, floating brick kickers over a shingle gap, a brick-ended volcano, a 1350 high mini ramp, a paving slab pyramid hip, a Jersey barrier, and much more.
Nestled in a scenic setting, Cardiff Barrage Plaza is an outstanding skatepark for skaters of all abilities, but it is particularly well-suited for street skaters. The obstacles are spaced sufficiently apart to provide ample room for beginners, while also offering challenging lines for more experienced skaters.
• Opening times: 7am-10pm
• Charge: Free
• Address: The Barrage, Locks Road, Butetown, Cardiff, Wales, CF10 4LY
• Website: http://www.gravityparks.co.uk
3. Splott Skatepark, Cardiff
One of Cardiff's highlights is its numerous small, local parks that are free to use. Among these, we consider Splott Skatepark on Muirton Road to be the top choice. Featuring grind rails, a flatbank, a driveway, and two quarter-pipes, it’s ideal for beginners.
It tends to get busy on warm weekends, but is generally quiet, allowing you the time and space to grasp the basics.
As mentioned, there are numerous other small, local skateparks across Cardiff that are free to use and have unrestricted access, such as Ely Skatepark, St Mellons Skatepark, and Llanrumney Skatepark. Some of these remain quiet even on weekends.
• Hours: Open around the clock
• Cost: No charge
• Location: Muirton Road, Cardiff, CF24 2SL
• Website: www.cardiff.gov.uk
With numerous skateparks spread throughout the city, Cardiff is somewhat of a skateboarding hub in Wales. Be sure to explore it! But keep an eye out for the police, you wouldn't want them catching you off guard!
You can find part 6
Image provided by iStock.